"If you liked the first GTA, you're bound to like this one"

In 1998, Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto, which was fairly popular in North America. As Rockstar sat and enjoyed the success their violent video game brought, they decided to add another addition to the Grand Theft Auto series – Grand Theft Auto 2. While Grand Theft Auto 2 was in the works, Rockstar threw together Grand Theft Auto: London, 1969, an expansion pack for Grand Theft Auto, to give gamers something to play while Grand Theft Auto 2 was in production. Does the expansion live up to the Grand Theft Auto name? Read on to find my opinions…

GAMEPLAY6.5/10This game is an expansion after all, so it plays just like the original game in the series. Nothing really different about the controls – they get annoying after a while, but you’ll get the hang of them eventually. The button layout could’ve been better, but if you played the first Grand Theft Auto, then you’ll have no trouble getting the hang of London, 1969’s controls, since they’re exactly the same. Your character, unfortunately, cannot jump – thus if he gets stuck somehow maybe by accidentally trapping himself in an alley then your character is stuck there, there really isn’t any way to get out. You can’t enter the left seat of the car, like in North America, so your character will only enter a car by facing the right door (this is London, after all). So, if you have the left-door facing you when your trapped in an alley, your character will refuse to enter the car because he’s not facing the driver’s seat. Pity, Rockstar should’ve fixed this small error.

The difficulty has been reduced – London, 1969 is a very easy game. The missions are fun and simple and some of them include nice stunts. I really didn’t care about its easy difficulty – mainly because the missions were fun and different than others.

Grand Theft Auto: London, 1969 is a pretty fun game, although it can get old after a while. The bird’s eye view, the four weapons your character keeps in his pocket and the joy of being a no-good is still here in the mission pack. The only difference London, 1969 is that… well, it’s set in London 1969. You’ll be driving on the other side of the road, entering cars on the right side, and this is 1969, so expect music reminiscent to 1960’s.

STORY0/10Another Rockstar game, another forgotten plot. Grand Theft Auto: London, 1969 doesn’t have a plot at all. Well, you are an English gangster and your goal is to become the richest and most feared gangster in London but that’s a pretty weak story. No plot twists, no character development – it’s exactly like the first game in the series.

GRAPHICS/SOUND6.5/10The game features the same type of graphics as did the first game in the series. The graphics aren’t the best and is kind of hard to look at. The streets are pretty detailed filled with benches, parks, a lot of buildings, bridges, and so on… London doesn’t have any distinct districts. For example, you wouldn’t know where you are since all of London looks the same. But then again, you wouldn’t need to worry about location because you’ll be directed where to go on missions.

The radio stations have changed also, now filled with British 1960’s music. Some of the tunes on the radio is pretty catchy and gives off the 60s feel to the game. A small soundtrack though, and this is a pretty long game, so you’ll be hearing the same songs more than once, that’s for sure. All cars are set to a random untitled radio station.

PLAY TIME/REPLAYABILITY8.5/10Grand Theft Auto: London, 1969 lets you do what you want when you want. You don’t necessarily have to do the missions, so the game lets you explore London whenever you feel like it. There’s tons of fun to be had in London – blowing up cars, speeding past traffic as the cops chase you, running people over, it’s all there. There are also bomb shops where you can rig your car with a bomb so that it will explode, four weapons – including a handgun, machine gun, flame-thrower, and rocket launcher. There are a lot of things to do in London that’s for sure.

OVERALL7/10Grand Theft Auto: London 1969, is a pretty fun expansion pack to Grand Theft Auto. The games are fairly identical, London: 1969 only presents you with more missions to keep you busy until Grand Theft Auto 2 comes out. If you liked the first one, then you're bound to enjoy this game.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10 | Originally Posted: 02/27/04

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